Subcontractor Dyer & Butler have finished platform extension work at three stations in the South East on behalf of Network Rail, the work was funded as part of the £150 million Gatwick Airport Station refurbishment.
The three stations with platforms extended are:
- Cooksbridge – Platform 1 in Lewes / London direction
- Lancing – Platform 2 in the Littlehampton direction
- Goring-by-Sea – Platform 1 in Hove / London direction
Longer trains and platforms mean more passengers can travel, on bigger platforms to reduce congestion for the many commuters and leisure travellers. The longer platforms also mean fewer trains will block-level crossings, easing road congestion too.
Network Rail Regional Investment Director Paul Harwood said: “These works support the vital Gatwick Airport station upgrade and the platform extensions will ensure we continue to provide a railway, which meets the needs of the communities and economies we serve in years to come.
We look forward to passengers reaping the benefits of more spacious, more frequent and longer trains which will provide more people with opportunities to travel.”
Rail Director at Dyer & Butler Chris Darlow said: “We are delighted to have successfully completed this platform extension programme on behalf of Network Rail. The increased platform capacity and the introduction of the longer trains will greatly transform the experience of passengers and likewise progress the service of the railway to ensure that journeys are safe and comfortable for all.”
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It would have been nice if Lancing could have been extended to 12 car in the down, to aid level crossing downtime. Also seems crazy to have left lancing in the up direction at 4 cars considering the number of commuters on the platform (pre COVID)
I like what they have done to some stations with extending the platforms to accommidate longer commuter trains just because of the Gatwick Airport upgrades. Nice one Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway.
If Southern were to order new trains to replace the Class 313s on the East Coastway and West Coastway lines and the branch lines. Could some of the stations that have shorter platforms could be extended to accommodate the new longer trains.
As well Southern using some of the Class 377s that are formed mainly as 3-Car, 4-Car, 5-Car, 6-Car and 8-Car formation and sometimes formed as 10-Car and 12-Car during peak times.